Kevin Macmellon is an independent defense writer covering military technology, modern warfare, and global security. He specializes in analyzing weapons systems, defense developments, and open-source intelligence (OSINT).
Avon Aerospace has introduced the ARD-40 "Stalker," a Vanguard-class autonomous rotary-wing unmanned aircraft designed to perform multiple battlefield missions in highly contested environments. The platform combines troop transport, combat search and rescue (CSAR), Counter-UAS operations, and loyal wingman capabilities into a single autonomous system,
SpaceX has been awarded a $1.6 billion contract by the U.S. Space Force to conduct 18 Falcon 9 launches in support of national security missions through the end of 2027. The launches will deploy military satellites supporting the Space Based Sensing and Targeting (SBST) portfolio, which is designed
Firestorm Labs has secured $82 million in Series B funding to accelerate the deployment of its expeditionary manufacturing technology, enabling military forces to produce mission-critical systems directly at the tactical edge. The funding round was led by Washington Harbour Partners and included participation from NEA, Ondas, In-Q-Tel,
Why the U.S. Is Replacing the Minuteman III ICBM The United States is moving forward with one of the most significant overhauls of its nuclear arsenal in decades, replacing the aging LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the next-generation LGM-35A Sentinel. The modernization effort
X-Bow Systems has unveiled Buckler, a flight-tested, low-cost interceptor designed to defeat Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at supersonic speeds. Introduced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the interceptor is priced at under $100,000 per unit, offering a significantly more affordable alternative to conventional air
Powerus, a Florida-based autonomous systems company founded by former U.S. Army Special Operations veterans, says its Guardian rotary-wing interceptor has achieved thousands of successful field intercepts against hostile Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The company positions the Guardian as a low-cost kinetic counter-drone solution
L3Harris Delivers RS-25 Engines for Artemis III L3Harris Technologies has delivered the RS-25 rocket engines that will power NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) during the historic Artemis III mission. The delivery marks another major milestone in preparing the first crewed lunar landing mission of the Artemis
Military Technology
HII has been awarded an option-year production contract to continue manufacturing the U.S. Navy's Lionfish Small Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (SUUV), reinforcing the Navy's investment in autonomous undersea warfare capabilities, including naval missions, mine countermeasures, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare, and electronic
AeroVironment Wins Major U.S. Army Production Contract AeroVironment has received a $117.3 million production contract from the U.S. Army to manufacture its P550™ Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS). The award supports the Army's effort to expand tactical uncrewed aviation capabilities by providing a versatile platform capable
News
A New Generation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray is an experimental uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to demonstrate long-duration autonomous operations beneath the ocean surface. Inspired by the movement and efficiency of the marine manta ray,
Defense Technology
General Dynamics Awarded $400.4 Million SDA Contract General Dynamics Mission Systems has secured a $400.4 million contract from the Space Development Agency (SDA) to develop the ground segment for Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The contract covers software development, testing, systems integration, and long-
Air Superiority
The Airborne Early Warning Platform The Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) is one of the world's most recognizable military aircraft, serving as an airborne command center that provides long-range radar surveillance, air battle management, and command-and-control capabilities. Developed by Boeing